When you talk about packaging, the first thing that comes to mind is corrugated boxes, courier bags, tapes, and plastic stretch films. But have you ever thought about the types of adhesives available to seal the product packaging securely during the entire shipping journey?
Adhesives keep the packaging material closed and in place. They hold two objects stuck together. It is important that you must know which type of adhesive will stick best to your packaging material in order to make the right choice. Knowing the types of adhesives will help in choosing the right one for packaging.
The types of adhesives can be characterized by how they form the bond between two objects. They are categorized based on their physical form, chemical composition, and classification. Each adhesive is designed for different conditions and applications. Multiple factors must be considered while choosing the right adhesive type.
Let us take a look at the types of packaging adhesives:
Water-Based Adhesives VS Hot Melt Adhesives
The packaging adhesives are broadly categorized under water-based packaging adhesives and hot melt packaging adhesives.
Water-based packaging adhesives are widely known for their consistency and stability. They are extensively used on machines and provide high-quality results. The water-based adhesives can be used for a variety of applications and are super sturdy. Many water-based adhesives are even used to mend broken items. Not just for packaging purposes, many people use water-based adhesives for daily applications as well.
Hot melt adhesive is a type of adhesive that provides a strong bond immediately and is widely used on machines running faster. They are a cost-effective and versatile option. Also, they generally produce the highest-quality packaging material only.
Types of Adhesives
The following are the types of packaging adhesives:
Drying Adhesives
Drying packaging adhesives bind the two surfaces when the adhesive dries and hardens. The best example of drying packaging is rubber cement.
Pressure Sensitive Adhesives
The pressure-sensitive adhesives are solid but retain their shape. However, when pressure is applied to them, they are soft enough to stick into the substrate. When you press the adhesive into the substrate, molecular interactions strengthen the bond. One of the common examples of pressure adhesives is packaging tape.
Reactive Adhesive
The reactive adhesives create bonds with the substrate by reacting to its material. The most common example is moisture-activated adhesive. The most common example of this adhesive is an envelope. The moisture from water/saliva activates the adhesive when applied to it. A reactive adhesive is generally made with corn starch or potatoes. It is best suited for paper and like materials.
Some adhesives are categorized on the basis of the raw materials used to make them. Some adhesives are made of potato, corn starch, wheat, and sugarcane. Like reactive adhesives. Some are made of natural resins like gum Arabic, milk protein, etc. Also, some adhesives are made of animal sources like shellac. Similarly, adhesives are made of natural sources that are non-renewable and synthetic sources.
